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what is the best budget track bike - novice

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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 17:22 - 07 Jun 2019    Post subject: what is the best budget track bike - novice Reply with quote

as per title
what is the best budget bike for minimal outlay and minimal running costs, that can still keep up on with other novice group riders on their r6/r1/gsxrbusas


long story short, i bought a 4xv r1 to track. turns out of absolutely love it to bits and after crashing my last bike on track i dont want to repeat it as months later im still rebuilding it Sad

I've considered sv650, er5/gpz500(which ive owned before a few years ago) but can't help thinking i'd get bored of being left behind on the straights time after time

as above. am 'novice' on track, maybe 2 or 3 track days a year so don't want to invest too much into it at this point.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 18:21 - 07 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

They have been making CBR6's for a long time, they are superbly competent motorcycles and they hold many lap records. Steel frames are reputed to be tough as old boots. You can get cheap chinese plastics for them, as well as a full range of R&G survival aids.

Not necessarily an RR, you'll get a better condition F in the budget market.

The bike will be more competant than the rider for a very long time but without trying to murder you.
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garth
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PostPosted: 07:24 - 08 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Life is finite, things are replaceable. Use the R1.
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MarJay
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PostPosted: 13:37 - 08 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Buy a cheap sportsbike. Doesn't really matter what. I'd probably avoid ZX7R's and stuff due to the weight, but CBR600, Thundercat, ZX6R, GSXR600 or 750 SRAD onwards... things like that.

Don't look for a specific type of bike, just look for something cheap that's been well maintained.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 11:28 - 20 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

have been watching ebay and faceache pages for a few weeks to gauge prices.
The steel frames cbr600s look to do well, i hadn't considered those.

Am still undecided on whether a cbr600 or 750 srad would be that much more expensive on consumables like tyres, chains n sprockets etc than something like a cb500.

As an example ,the R1 C&S was ~£150 vs my old gpz500 C&S at £70. Same with tyres. If i can keep the consumable cost down it would be ideal as i already have 2 bikes that empty my wallet on a regular basis.

I know doing anythjing on track is expensive but its just a bit of fun for me. The money saved on cheaper consumables would mean more track days
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MarJay
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PostPosted: 11:40 - 20 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

pompousporcupine wrote:
have been watching ebay and faceache pages for a few weeks to gauge prices.
The steel frames cbr600s look to do well, i hadn't considered those.

Am still undecided on whether a cbr600 or 750 srad would be that much more expensive on consumables like tyres, chains n sprockets etc than something like a cb500.

As an example ,the R1 C&S was ~£150 vs my old gpz500 C&S at £70. Same with tyres. If i can keep the consumable cost down it would be ideal as i already have 2 bikes that empty my wallet on a regular basis.

I know doing anythjing on track is expensive but its just a bit of fun for me. The money saved on cheaper consumables would mean more track days


Both are just as hard on consumables on track. Don't think like this. You'll get bored of a CB500 unless you're a front runner in the CB500 cup. Anything less than a sports 600 will be frustrating on track because you'll get passed by the world and his wife.

Honestly, forget consumables, forget MPG, forget heated grips. This is the track. My CBR600 has been on the same tyres, the same chain and sprockets and the same brake pads for two years. The most maintenance is oil changes, and tweaks to things like the brakes, on mine the manual camchain adjuster and things like that.

If you manage to burn through a chain and sprockets on a 600 in a year, then you probably should be racing. But you won't.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.
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MarJay
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PostPosted: 12:05 - 20 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

pompousporcupine wrote:


As an example ,the R1 C&S was ~£150 vs my old gpz500 C&S at £70. Same with tyres. If i can keep the consumable cost down it would be ideal as i already have 2 bikes that empty my wallet on a regular basis.


Also... it's a trackbike. If you need chain and sprockets and can't afford it... miss a trackday. It can sit in the garage until you're ready. This is far better than having a slow bike and just getting your confidence ruined by people blasting past you on S1000RRs. A CBR600 has enough power to stop that ruining the experience.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.
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pompousporcup...
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PostPosted: 12:42 - 20 Jun 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

MarJay wrote:
pompousporcupine wrote:


As an example ,the R1 C&S was ~£150 vs my old gpz500 C&S at £70. Same with tyres. If i can keep the consumable cost down it would be ideal as i already have 2 bikes that empty my wallet on a regular basis.


Also... it's a trackbike. If you need chain and sprockets and can't afford it... miss a trackday. It can sit in the garage until you're ready. This is far better than having a slow bike and just getting your confidence ruined by people blasting past you on S1000RRs. A CBR600 has enough power to stop that ruining the experience.


That is a good point :facepalm:
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redeem ouzzer
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PostPosted: 09:31 - 10 Aug 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

And so continues the ridiculous attitude that you need a minimum of 600cc for a track bike...
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garth
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PostPosted: 14:01 - 10 Aug 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

GT200Fan79 wrote:
And so continues the ridiculous attitude that you need a minimum of 600cc for a track bike...


Depends how good you are. I've done a few trackdays in inters on 50bhp and it can get frustrating, but maybe if I was at a higher level it wouldn't be. I tend to agree that 100bhp for your average person would be more enjoyable.

It's a trackday at the end of the day, not racing.
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Old Git Racing
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PostPosted: 00:00 - 11 Aug 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

If its a trackday, not racing then the bhp shouldn't matter. But realistically all trackdays turn into some kind of race. If you feel the need to beat the 50bhp blokes in the inters but don't have the skills buy an ex track CBR steely. If you want to just get the best out of you and a bike get a CB500, great fun bikes.
Just buy something for fun, 'race' the people the same speed as you and have a good time.

OGR.
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MarJay
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PostPosted: 13:41 - 15 Aug 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Evotion wrote:
Do you think one is better off buying a new, say, CBR650R at 8k or a second hand R6, or similar, at the same price?

Thinking of longevity, running costs, etc, balanced against fun and thrills.


Neither, but to indulge you for a moment, the R6 is a better track bike in every way. The CBR650R is a Hornet in a frock, not a full on supersport machine.

I would always recommend people to do what I did and buy a secondhand 600 from around the 2007/2008 mark. No catalytic converters, no ABS, less weight. You can get something decent for about £2500-£3000 and will embarass people on their HP4's and things when they can't get around corners.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.
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